Connection device and imaging apparatus provided with connection device

Abstract

A connection device is disclosed in which information transmission cables can be reliably connected to each other while jamming is prevented from occurring in the connection device, and an imaging apparatus provided with the connection device. The connection device can include an adapter fixing member internally having a guide member. Inside the guide member, there is provided a helical guide surface formed in one direction in order to perform an operation in which a projection portion of a connector fixing member is guided in a manner of gyrating around a central axis of a first optical fiber cable as a first information transmission cable and a second optical fiber cable as a second information transmission cable, when the connector fixing member is inserted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connection device, which connects an end portion of a first information transmission cable and an end portion of a second information transmission cable to each other, the connection device comprising:
 a connection section that holds a tubular connector fixing member holding the first information transmission cable and having a projection portion on an outer peripheral surface; and   a tubular adapter fixing member that holds the second information transmission cable and connects the end portion of the first information transmission cable and the end portion of the second information transmission cable to each other in accordance with insertion of the connector fixing member,   wherein the adapter fixing member internally has a guide member, and   wherein the guide member has a helical guide surface formed in one direction in order to perform an operation in which the projection portion of the connector fixing member is guided in a manner of gyrating around a central axis of the first information transmission cable and the second information transmission cable, when the connector fixing member is inserted.   
     
     
         2 . The connection device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein an inner surface of the adapter fixing member has a slope restraining projection portion, which restrains the connector fixing member from sloping with respect to the adapter fixing member when the connector fixing member is inserted into the guide member.   
     
     
         3 . The connection device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein an outer peripheral surface of the connection section has a projection portion; and   a connection holding body that internally accommodates the adapter fixing member,   wherein the connection holding body has a helical guide groove portion which guides the projection portion in a manner of gyrating around the central axis, and   wherein before an operation in which the projection portion of the connector fixing member is guided by the helical guide surface in a gyrating manner starts, an operation in which the projection portion of the connection section is guided by the helical guide groove portion in a gyrating manner.   
     
     
         4 . The connection device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a distal portion on the outer peripheral surface of the connector fixing member has a guide projection which guides the connector fixing member in a manner of gyrating around the central axis by coming into contact with the helical guide surface of the guide member prior to the projection portion when the connector fixing member is inserted into the guide member.   
     
     
         5 . The connection device according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first information transmission cable has an imaging core, and the imaging core generates an optical signal or an acoustic signal.   
     
     
         6 . A connection device, which connects an end portion of a first information transmission cable and an end portion of a second information transmission cable to each other, the connection device comprising:
 a tubular connector configured to hold the first information transmission cable and having a projection portion on an outer peripheral surface; and   a tubular adapter configured to hold the second information transmission cable and connects the end portion of the first information transmission cable and the end portion of the second information transmission cable to each other in accordance with insertion of the tubular connector, the tubular adapter internally having a guide member, and wherein the guide member has a helical guide surface formed in one direction in order to perform an operation in which the projection portion of the tubular connector is guided in a manner of gyrating around a central axis of the first information transmission cable and the second information transmission cable, when the tubular connector is inserted.   
     
     
         7 . The connection device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein an inner surface of the tubular adapter has a slope restraining projection portion, which restrains the tubular connector from sloping with respect to the tubular adapter when the tubular connector is inserted into the guide member.   
     
     
         8 . The connection device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein an outer peripheral surface of the tubular connector has a projection portion,   a connection holding body that internally accommodates the tubular adapter, wherein the connection holding body has a helical guide groove portion which guides the projection portion in a manner of gyrating around the central axis, and   wherein before an operation in which the projection portion of the tubular connector is guided by the helical guide surface in a gyrating manner starts, an operation in which the projection portion is guided by the helical guide groove portion in a gyrating manner.   
     
     
         9 . The connection device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein a distal portion on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular connector has a guide projection, which guides the tubular connector in a manner of gyrating around the central axis by coming into contact with the helical guide surface of the guide member prior to the projection portion when the tubular connector is inserted into the guide member.   
     
     
         10 . The connection device according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the first information transmission cable has an imaging core, and the imaging core generates an optical signal or an acoustic signal.   
     
     
         11 . An imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus comprising:
 a connection device, which connects an end portion of a first information transmission cable and an end portion of a second information transmission cable to each other, the connection device including a connection section that holds a tubular connector fixing member holding the first information transmission cable and having a projection portion on an outer peripheral surface, and a tubular adapter fixing member that holds the second information transmission cable and connects the end portion of the first information transmission cable and the end portion of the second information transmission cable to each other in accordance with insertion of the connector fixing member, wherein the adapter fixing member internally has a guide member, and wherein the guide member has a helical guide surface formed in one direction in order to perform an operation in which the projection portion of the connector fixing member is guided in a manner of gyrating around a central axis of the first information transmission cable and the second information transmission cable, when the connector fixing member is inserted;   a catheter unit having the connection section;   a drive device having a connection holding body, the drive device configured to emit a signal to a target through the first information transmission cable and the second information transmission cable, and obtain a signal from the target through the first information transmission cable and the second information transmission cable; and   an operation control apparatus that forms an image of the target in accordance with a signal which is generated based on the signal from the target and is sent from the drive device.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein an inner surface of the adapter fixing member has a slope restraining projection portion, which restrains the connector fixing member from sloping with respect to the adapter fixing member when the connector fixing member is inserted into the guide member.   
     
     
         13 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein an outer peripheral surface of the connection section has a projection portion; and   a connection holding body that internally accommodates the adapter fixing member, the connection holding body having a helical guide groove portion which guides the projection portion in a manner of gyrating around the central axis, and   wherein before an operation in which the projection portion of the connector fixing member is guided by the helical guide surface in a gyrating manner starts, an operation in which the projection portion of the connection section is guided by the helical guide groove portion in a gyrating manner.   
     
     
         14 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein a distal portion on the outer peripheral surface of the connector fixing member has a guide projection which guides the connector fixing member in a manner of gyrating around the central axis by coming into contact with the helical guide surface of the guide member prior to the projection portion when the connector fixing member is inserted into the guide member.   
     
     
         15 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the first information transmission cable has an imaging core, and the imaging core generates an optical signal or an acoustic signal.